Chapter 31 Reese
Watching her eat shouldn’t be so enthralling, yet I’m having a hard time focusing on my own plate.
She makes these little sounds every time she eats a bite, and it makes my dick twitch.
I want her naked and under me more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
I want to hear those sounds coming from her mouth when my cock is buried deep inside of her.
Shifting in my seat, I try to reposition my erection and continue eating.
“Are you okay?” Her question makes me squirm a bit.
Deciding to be honest, I tuck my chin to my chest and chuckle. “Honestly, Goldie? Hearing you make those sounds is drivin’ me a little crazy over here.”
She puts her fork down and dabs at her mouth. “I’m sorry?”
“Every time you take a bite, you make this sound and…” I have to pause and clear my throat, “it’s sexy as fuck.”
Her head tilts and her brows kiss, “I didn’t… I’m making a sound?”
With a chuckle, I nod.
“Well that’s–embarrassing,” she mutters.
“No, Goldie, what’s embarrassing is having a full on boner at the table because you’re enjoyin’ the food I made you.”
She gasps and her eyes flit down, good thing I decided on my dark jeans. She laughs and I join her, listening to her fills me with joy.
“We’re terrible at this dating thing,” she quips and I shake my head.
“I think we’re doin’ a fine job.”
The rest of dinner is filled with conversation that doesn’t revolve around my family, and we share a few more laughs. The golden glow of the lights make her look like an angel sitting on my back porch, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the chance she’s taking on me.
“Are you full?” I ask during a lull in conversation. She nods, and lifts her glass of water to her lips.
My front door crashes open and Jarrett stomps in, making her jump and spill some water on her lap. When she turns, their eyes meet and his face goes red. “Really?” He snaps his furious eyes to me and repeats himself, “Really?”
“Jarrett,” I warn, standing and grabbing our plates to take to the kitchen.
“No. Fuck you. You could have anyone, and you choose her?” He shouts, not making any effort to hide his obvious disdain. “She’s Levi’s! Do you get off on knowing that she’s his sloppy seconds?”
Anger rises like a tidal wave, and I cross the space to where he’s standing. “Don’t you ever refer to her as sloppy anythin’.”
He steps into me, face to face as he growls, “You’re just so eager to get your dick wet.”
“Watch yourself,” I warn, but he just starts laughing. It sounds like he’s gone mad. It’s the kind of laughing that comes from a deeply hurting soul that feels like there’s nothing more to lose.
“Did I ever tell you Levi used to talk about her. He was so happy. Lucy made him feel things he’d never felt before. He. Loved. Her.” He’s unhinged now, hoping for a reaction neither of us are giving him.
“Go to bed,” I say through clenched teeth. “Before you lose your one chance.”
“I’ve already lost everything!” He screams, throwing out his hands and storming upstairs.
Lucy steps inside, holding the rest of the dirty dishes. Shaking her head and holding my stare, she stops my initial thoughts.
“He’s young,” she says, as if that’s an excuse.
“I’m figuring him out,” I admit. “But that doesn’t excuse what he said. I’m sorry, Lucy.”
She smiles, and walks over to the kitchen, places the plates and cups on the side of the sink and walks back over to me. Lifting up on her tippy toes she flattens her palms against my chest, and places her lips against my cheek before rolling back on her heels.
“I should head home,” she says, “thank you for tonight, Old Man.”
“Please stay, at least split this cake with me?” I step closer, reaching my hand out praying she’ll step into me. She doesn’t, only gives me a small smile and nods to where Jarrett walked out.
“You and Jarrett enjoy it, maybe talk about whatever’s goin’ on,” she steps forward, the tiniest of steps. “Sugar always makes things better.”
I want her to stay, I didn’t get enough time with her, but I can’t argue that Jarrett needs to talk. It’s clear he’s got something bottled up inside of him that needs to air out.
With a sigh, I nod and walk her out to her truck. “I’m glad you came.”
“Me too,” she smiles, opening the truck door that squeals and creaks. I frown wondering how this old thing still runs. It’s got rust spots near the bottom of the body, and every time she cranks it, it shudders. “Don’t be judgin’ ol’ Flora.”
“Of course not, this fancy lady deserves respect,” I laugh, watching her crack up at the ridiculous sentiment.
“Until next time, Old Man,” she says, sliding into the seat and pulling the door closed. Once the truck’s up and running, she slowly drives out, and I watch until her pretty red lights are gone and the only thing left are the lightning bugs speckling the night.
She texted me when she got home last night before I went to bed, and I plan to call her later.
Colt’s supposed to be showing up today at some point, the sheriff left me a message yesterday while I was with Lucy.
Jarrett’s been angrier than ever, stomping around and snapping at anyone who looks his way. I need to pull him to the side and have him check his attitude or he can kiss his shot at qualifiers goodbye.
The youngins are in the chicken coop early this morning, squealing when the chickens get excited. Lin’s chuckle as she watches makes me smile.
“Mornin’ Boss Man!” She hollers with a wave before folding her arms back over her chest.
Mason’s got the older ones running their mile, only Kayce’s done, stretching out by the finish area. Jarrett’s not far behind, and when his gaze lands on mine he sneers. Impressive considering he’s breathing pretty heavily.
“I’m gonna borrow him for the rest of the day,” I tell Mason who nods and salutes to Jarrett. Kayce eyes us but doesn’t say anything.
Jarrett trudges after me as we make our way to the chutes.
I’ve got one of our mild bulls coming to work with Jarrett one on one.
Maybe if I can get him to open up like Yates suggested, I can figure out why he’s so damn angry.
I knew he was going to be difficult, being spoiled and lazy, but I honestly didn’t expect the anger.
“Why are we here, Reese?” He asks, turning in the middle of the small arena to face me.
“What do you have against me datin’ Lucy?” I ask, it shouldn’t be the first question, yet it slips out of my mouth.
He scoffs, looking at me with thinly veiled irritation.
“What you said last night was unacceptable,” I chastise. “No woman should ever be talked about that way. Where did you even learn that?”
He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even move to speak.
“What is your problem?” I holler, stepping closer.
“You’re my problem!” He shouts, pushing my shoulders. “Ever since you came back everythin’s gone to shit! Levi’s dead, and the world hates him. My best friend is in love with the wrong person, Dad’s dyin’ and all you’re worried about is second-hand pussy! No one gives a shit about me!”
I’m stunned into silence. Everything just poured out of him as if it’s been building and building. Tears pool in his lashes but only a few drop down his face before he angrily swipes them away.
I open my mouth but I don’t know where to start. I know he’s not going to like what I have to say about Levi, so that’s definitely not the place.
“I’ve been here, Jarrett,” I start, “you might not have noticed, considerin’ you’ve acted like a fuckin’ dick since you got here.”
He rolls his eyes and scoffs.
“I tried talkin’ to you about Yates and you shut me out. Not the other way around. I’m here, and sure I can admit I’ve been hard on you, but dammit Jarrett, you don’t make anythin’ easy.”
“How can I when I’ve had to keep everythin’ inside?
” He throws up his hands, pulls at his hair and starts again.
“You asked who I have to talk to, you remember that? Well the answer is no one, because I don’t have friends.
I had one, and he went and fell in love.
And I had one brother who cared about me, and then he went and got himself murdered.
” He looks up at me and the raw pain in his eyes guts me.
“Now it’s just me. Shitty Jare who no one likes.
Trust me, I know people hate me. It’s easier to stomach their hatred than their pity when all they see is Levi’s little brother and feel sorry for me. ”
His tears keep rolling and my heart squeezes.
“Levi wasn’t all bad, and I fuckin’ miss him. He had his problems, and I’m not sayin’ what he did should be excused, but he was my brother. He was there for me when you were out of reach. He actually gave a shit about me. That’s more than I can say about you.”